US Democrats back amendment to cut Israel military aid

Democratic Representatives Greg Casar and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez on Monday announced support for a House amendment to eliminate $3.3 billion in annual US military aid to Israel, joining a Republican-led effort to cut funding amid debates over the war in Gaza. Casar, a Texas Democrat who chairs the Congressional Progressive Caucus, wrote on social media platform X that he would vote in favor of the measure when it reaches the House floor. "Soon, the House will vote on an amendment to block taxpayer funding to Israel’s military. I will vote yes," Casar wrote, adding that the Israeli government had committed war crimes and dragged America into war with Iran.

Ocasio-Cortez told the Drop Site news outlet that she will also vote for the amendment to the Fiscal Year 2027 State Department appropriations bill, according to the agency report. The amendment, introduced by Republican Representative Thomas Massie, targets the $3.3 billion in foreign military financing that Israel receives each year under a 10-year, $38 billion Memorandum of Understanding signed in 2016. The agreement, which expires in 2028, has traditionally enjoyed bipartisan support in Congress.

Amendment spares missile defense

The proposed cutoff would not affect the $500 million Israel receives annually for missile defense systems, including the Iron Dome. Casar noted that the measure as drafted could also impact approximately $50 million in diplomatic funding, but emphasized that blocking military assistance remained the priority. "While I would prefer to vote on an amendment that stripped just military funding, I think opposing the billions in military funding is what’s most important here," he said.

The Texas lawmaker said that American taxpayers should not finance additional weapons for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government, stating that Washington's backing of Tel Aviv's military campaign risked entangling the United States in broader regional conflicts. The amendment faces steep odds in the Republican-controlled House, where leadership has consistently opposed efforts to condition or reduce security assistance to Israel.